tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327340606291924816.post2743997817741741822..comments2023-10-16T06:25:50.887-04:00Comments on electric goldfish: Us Comics vs Manga (wow, long)electric goldfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17472636141178384487noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327340606291924816.post-39820645434067929832007-10-09T12:42:00.000-04:002007-10-09T12:42:00.000-04:00I was going to comment about your seeming limitati...I was going to comment about your seeming limitation of US comics to superheroes, but Richard Melendez beat me to it, and probably said it much more eloquently than I would have. But I will concur that there is a large breadth of non-superhero comics produced here, stuff that will appeal to all age ranges and both sexes. I would recommend Scott Pilgrim, Blankets, Bone, Street Angel, East Coast Rising, King City, and Casanova, just off the top of my head. There are many, many others that don't fall into the superhero category, but that's a list for another time. Not that I'm trying to be critical of you or anything; I agree with what you're saying, but I think if you look outside the mainstream superhero companies, you'll find a great deal that you might be interested in.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13867868039166531163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327340606291924816.post-14715099791143567472007-10-08T16:59:00.000-04:002007-10-08T16:59:00.000-04:00Great essay, and I thank you for your insights. H...Great essay, and I thank you for your insights. However, I do take issue with a point in your overall argument. It sounds like you're equating super hero comics with the whole of the US comics industry's output, which is not the case. True, diversity in manga is much more readily available and apparent (though what we see here in the US is still but a dust mote when compared to all the manga that hasn't made it's way over here yet) than the level of diversity readily apparent in US comics. But... the diversity is there. If one steps outside the confines of the publishing schedules of Marvel or DC (or Image and Dark Horse), you'll see beyond the spandex and sci-fi trappings and come across wonderful and beautful works such as Love and Rockets (and related) by Los Bros. Hernandez, Berlin by Jason Lutes, Mouse Guard, Into The Dust, Parade With Fireworks and Miriam. And this is but a dust mote of what's produced here. If one ventures further into the realm of graphic novels, then the diversity seen is even greater. So while I do see your point, and I understand to a degree what you're trying to express, the biggest difference between Manga and US comics isn't so much the lack of diversity in the latter, but rather the stiffling distribution system and publisher practices which force super heroes to the forefront while strangling other genres out of the spotlight. Most comic book stores either can't afford to diversify their product line, sticking with the comfortable bread-n-butter that super heroes provide, or are unfortunately blinded by their own devotion to Marvel and DC, not caring about the output of other publishers who do not deal with super heroes, and their store shelves reflect that mindset. We do have a long way to go if US comics are to reach the level of penetration that Manga has achieved (in a relatively short period of time, at that), but the problem is not with the comics themselves but rather with the industry that produces and distributes these comics.<BR/>-r-Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894057774943698598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327340606291924816.post-83628818357850592062007-10-08T16:50:00.000-04:002007-10-08T16:50:00.000-04:00I fully agree and appreciate your post. I've been ...I fully agree and appreciate your post. I've been reading comics for most of my life, I've been reading Manga for almost as long as you (I'm one of those "Daddy Warbucks of geeks" but I do play collectible card games.) and it irritates three types of hell outta me when people think they have to draw that boy/girls line in the book section. I read Shonen and shoujo with pride, sure the other guys give me that look, but some of the ladies think it's cool that I'm not biased. As for American comics, the stories have improved more and more over the last 20 years (I've got over 50 years comic book knowledge in my head) my big problem is nobody stays dead (my thoughts on the subject Blind sight: Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.) One thing i do like are the recent "Girl power" in comics; books like: Birds of prey, secret six and both the JSA and JLA have strong female leaders. i just hope the trend keepsGreen eyed Dragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02279187870404661440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327340606291924816.post-40728444456603023662007-10-08T15:16:00.000-04:002007-10-08T15:16:00.000-04:00hey great blog...hey great blog...Jihanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05056162609222253575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327340606291924816.post-78880526988294805162007-10-08T13:05:00.000-04:002007-10-08T13:05:00.000-04:00Great article you got there. I agree. Personally...Great article you got there. I agree. Personally, I really want to get into reading more <I>manga</I>, because of the variety you speak of. There's just to much of a tendency for US comics to be like each other.<BR/><BR/>I had also never considered the cost for production issue. I mean, obviously, it's staring me in the face right there, but I never focused on it.<BR/><BR/>*counting my coins* I really need to shift to more <I>manga</I>...Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07583912559326387452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327340606291924816.post-37065239442812503682007-10-07T18:12:00.000-04:002007-10-07T18:12:00.000-04:00I think your post is not biasedI do not really lik...I think your post is not biased<BR/><BR/>I do not really like manga and anime that much, Ranma was the biggest exception and I watched that anime in spanish (almost 10 years ago)<BR/><BR/>Anf for the most part girls in comics used to be cleavage with attitude, thad trend is finally over but there were only a few options namely Archie and the no gender distinction like Simpson comics <BR/><BR/>And you are right the number of manga that Japan creates every week is amazingJorge I. Figueroa F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12442582099617448833noreply@blogger.com